A magnetic floor mat mounting apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

An improved apparatus for reversibly securing a floor mat, and related methods. The apparatus of the present invention utilizes embedded or attached magnetic materials in the floor mat and the floor to provide an improved method of securing a floor mat to the ground. The system operates under magnetic coupling alone, preventing twisting, rotating or lifting of a floor mat, while allowing easy removal of the mat with no needed clean up or degraded attachment function.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to floor mats, more specifically, thepresent invention relates to floor mats having apparatus operable totemporarily secure a mat to the floor and methods of using the same.

DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND

A floor mat typically functions to prevent tracking in unwanted debristhrough the interior of a building. Floor mats are often placed in frontof the entryway of a building to allow passers to wipe the dirtcollected from walking from place to place. A problem which arises inplacing a floor mat at the exterior of the building is the formation ofcrosswinds created from the structure of the building, and thesecrosswinds cause floor mats to drift from their original location,typically a floor mat does not have a mass sufficient to neutralize theforce of the wind acting on the mat.

There have been many attempts to prevent the slip or movement on thesurface of substantially frictionless surfaces or floors. Ageneral-purpose solution has been to install an all-purpose grip tape,and another frequent solution is the addition of paneling or tiles thathave an anti-slip tread; these two methods are solutions for adapting africtionless surface to have a coefficient of friction sufficient inpreventing slip of a floor mat. However, these solutions prove to beunsustainable when subjected to the forces of nature, the materialproperties of grip tape retain dirt and grime, and cleaning thesematerials typically requires heavy-duty machinery (e.g., pressurewasher). Anti-slip paints and coatings are another adaptation utilizedto prevent slip, but these paints are not easily removable, somecoatings are only removable with high hardness abrasive tooling and theincorporation of an acid solution.

Conventional methods used to prevent slip in the vertical directioninvolve using a thin foam pad with an adhesive applied to the top andbottom surfaces. This pad is then placed on the four corners of the mat.Another method uses a hook and loop material attachment member placed onthe floor substrate and the base portion of the floor mat in contactwith the floor. The adhesive materials used to secure the floor mat aredifficult to remove from the respective surfaces presenting alabor-intensive and challenging removal process. Additionally, theadhesive can lose its adhesive properties over time as dirt, and otherparticles penetrate the surface preventing the functionality of thematerial.

An improved method and apparatus for securing a floor mat is desirable.The methods must reduce or remove the shortcomings of current methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved apparatus fortemporarily securing a floor mat, and methods. The apparatus of thepresent invention utilizes embedded or attached magnetic materials inthe floor mat and the floor to provide an improved method of securing afloor mat to the ground. The only connecting mechanism between the matand the underlying substrate is magnetism, preventing twisting, rotatingor lifting of a floor mat, while allowing easy removal of the mat withno needed clean up or degraded attachment function.

The apparatus may be comprised of complementary components operable toattach to various substrates (e.g., flooring, concrete, wood, etc.) andmay be capable of attaching to various floor mat materials (e.g.,textile, rubber, etc.); other supporting mechanisms may be required forinstallation and the production of an aesthetic finish. Additionally, itis an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that isoperable to be removed and transferred to another substrate. Otheraspects that may be included in the apparatus are described herein.

Conventional methods of securing a floor mat incorporate devices thathave a finite life, and in some methods, an incorporated device mayrequire significant maintenance. Many attempts of securing a floor mathave been made, but a permanent solution that is operable to adapt tovarious floor mats has not been available. Conventional methods insecuring a floor mat typically incorporate a hook and loop attachmentdevice, such attachment device have a finite life and often gatherdebris which render the device unusable. It is another fault of thismethod that the attachment devices are not reusable (i.e., when mountingthe device the adhesive used to secure the component of the hook andloop device does not allow for relocation of the attachment device). Incontrast, the apparatus of the present invention is operable to preventthe gathering of debris and is more effective and reliable.

The apparatus of the present invention includes a bracket operable toattach to various surfaces or substrates, a base plate operable toattach to various surfaces or substrates, an anchor (e.g., threadedconcrete anchor, steel adhesive grip anchor, etc.) operable to beembedded into a substrate, and an adhesive may be utilized to assist infirmly securing components of the invention. In some embodiments, a matmay be operable to receive and secure the bracket; the mat receivinglocation may have a depression operable to nest the bracket. Thedepression may have a geometry that is complementary to the geometry ofthe bracket and may have a sufficient depth to have a surface that isflush with the face of the bracket.

The bracket of the present invention may be comprised of one or moremagnets placed in a material, e.g., a plurality of magnets arranged in apattern (e.g., a linear pattern, a circular pattern, a polygonalpattern, etc.). As an example, and without limitation, the bracket mayinclude a plurality of magnets may be oriented in a linear geometry tobe placed along the edge of a floor mat. The magnets may be embedded orheld in a suitable material, e.g., a material that is operable to allowfor flex in a torsional direction, and is permeable to electromagneticfields.

The brackets may have any shape or size based upon required need oraesthetically designed choice. Similar to the brackets, the magnets arenot limited by any shape or size. The invention may include usingmultiple magnets side by side to increase the magnetic force between thebrackets and anchor plates. Additionally, the magnets and/or bracketsmay be coated the magnets with a rubberized coating, to assist ineliminating movement of the mat by friction between the bracket and theanchor plates.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bracket thatmay be mounted to at least one location on the basal surface of a floormat; the basal surface of a floor mat refers to the surface of the floormat in contact with the floor. The bracket may be mounted by utilizing asuitable adhesive operable of securing the bracket to the basal surfaceof the floor mat. In some embodiments, individual brackets may be placedat multiple locations on the basal surface of the floor mat. As anexample, without limitation, a bracket may be located at each of thefour corners of a rectangular mat.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a base platethat is complementary to the geometry of the bracket. A base plate maybe dimensionally larger or smaller than the bracket. The base plate thatmay have the same geometric shape, but may be sized to a differentscale. As an example, without limitation, a circular bracket may have adiameter of five inches and the corresponding base plate may have adiameter of two inches; the reverse of this example may be appropriatefor certain applications (where the base plate is larger and thecircular bracket is smaller). The material of the base plate may be of aferromagnetic type (e.g., iron, nickel, etc.). Additionally, the baseplate may be mounted to a surface or substrate with an adhesive, theadhesive type may vary according to the substrate material, an anchoringdevice (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.), or another fastening method. In someembodiments, the base plate may be embedded within the substrate; asubstrate may be prepared (e.g., by drilling, boring, milling, etc.) toreceive the base plate. In another embodiment, a base plate may befastened to the basal surface of the mat and the bracket may be nestedinto a depression in the floor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus whichis easily removable and operable to be reused; the bracket may bedetached from the basal mat surface and may be operable to be mounted toa new mat surface.

It is further an object of the invention to provide a functional andaesthetic system for securing a floor mat to the ground, which iscapable of being reused. These and other objects of the presentinvention will become apparent upon inspection of the detaileddescription and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an environmental perspective view of a floor mat fasteningmechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a trimetric view of a floor mat system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B shows a trimetric view of a floor mat system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a trimetric view of a floor mat system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of a floor mat system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a floor mat system according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an environmental side view of a floor mat and floor matfastening mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a floor mat system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a component of a floor mat systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of a floor mat system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of a floor mat system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of a floor mat system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a side view of a floor mat system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows a side view of a floor mat system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a side view of a floor mat system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

References will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. While the invention will be described in reference to theseembodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limitthe invention. To the contrary, the invention is intended to coveralternatives, modifications, and equivalents that are included withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In thefollowing disclosure, specific details are given to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to oneskilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced withoutthese specific details.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designatelike or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referringparticularly to FIGS. 1-8, it is seen that the present inventionincludes various embodiments of mat fastening device, and methods ofusing the same.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary mat fastening device 100, according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention comprising a bracket 101operable to attach to a mat 110 and operable to attach to a base plate103. The mat 110 may have an opening with geometry complementary to thebracket 101, and operable to receive and attach to the bracket 101. Thebracket 101 may be on the top surface to attached to the basal surfaceof the mat 110 with an adhesive, mechanical anchor, or other attachmentdevice. The base plate 103 may be mounted to a substrate surface 120.Mounting to the substrate surface 120 may be accomplished by utilizingan adhesive, mechanical anchor, or other attachment device.

FIG. 2A shows a trimetric view of the device of FIG. 1. Specifically,FIG. 2 shows an assembled trimetric view of the bracket 101, theexterior portion of the bracket is transparently presented to reveal theinterior geometry of the bracket 101. The bracket 101 in this embodimentmay have an interior geometry operable to receive a plurality of magnets102. A magnet 102 may have a symmetrically north pole and south polewith equal and opposite magnetic force. The bracket 101 operable toembed the magnets 102 and secure the magnets in a pattern; where eachmagnet 102 having the same magnetic orientation as adjacent magnets.

FIG. 2B shows a trimetric of the device of FIG. 1. Specifically, FIG. 2Bshows a disassembled array of magnets 102 in the bracket 101 and showsthe force vector F for inserting the plurality of magnets 102. Theinterior of the bracket has a geometry that is complementary to that ofthe individual magnets 10. The cylindrical geometry shown is an exampleand non-limiting as the geometry may be any shape that is capable ofbeing symmetrically magnetized in a fashion that is operable to connectto the base plate 103. The individual magnets in the bracket assembly101 may have an adhesive applied between the bracket 101 cylinders andthe magnet base.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the base plate 103 of the device ofFIG. 1. A base plate 103 may be mounted to a substrate surface 120 withan adhesive; the adhesive type may vary depending on the material of thesurface 120 and the material of the base plate 103. The base plate 103material may be of a ferromagnetic material and operable to attract amagnetized material. In some embodiments, the base plate may have ageometry that is of shape complementary to the bracket 101 to provideexcellent surface area contact with the magnets in the bracket 101. Thebase plate 103 may be attached to or embedded in the substrate 120. Thesubstrate 120 may be prepared with a cutout or recess of the base plate103 geometry and secured with an adhesive. In some embodiments, asubstrate 120 may surround the top portion of the base plate 103. Thematerial of the substrate 120 may be permeable to an electromagneticfield.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the basal portion of a mat 110 and bracketmechanism 101 of the device of FIG. 1. A plurality of bracket mechanisms101 may be positioned individually at multiple locations on the basalside of the mat 110 to prevent drift and sway from the mat 110 in theevent an applied lateral force.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the device of FIG. 1, the device 100 and abase plate 103 concealed behind a mat 110. It is preferred that thebasal surface of the mat remains flush with the substrate 120.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary environmental perspective view of anotherembodiment of a mat fastening device 200. The device 200 may comprise amat 110, and a plate 203 operable to fasten to a bracket 201, which maybe operable to attach to a substrate surface 120. The substrate surface120 may be the ground surface (e.g., concrete, hardwood flooring, etc.).The mat plate 203 and bracket 201 may be fastened together using thematerial and magnetic properties of the plate and bracket combination200. The mat plate 203 may be placed at strategic locations on the basalsurface of the mat 110, which may be complementary to the location ofthe bracket 201 on the substrate surface 120. The bracket 201 may bethreaded into an anchor mechanism 202. The anchor mechanism 202 may beplaced into a drilled hole or other insertion or attachment point in thesubstrate surface 120. In some embodiments, the bracket 201 may befastened to the substrate surface 120 with an adhesive to further securethe bracket.

The mat 110 may be comprised of a textile material, rubber, or anothersuitable material for aesthetic or functional means; the mat plate 203may be constructed of a ferromagnetic material (e.g., iron, cobalt,nickel, etc.), the material properties allow for the mat plate 203 to befunctionally attracted to the bracket 201. The bracket 201 may be of aferromagnetic material which may be magnetized, and the bracket 201 mayinclude a face which comes into contact with the mat plate 203. Thebracket 201 may include one more anchors that may be operable toinserted into the substrate 120 and may include a securing mechanism(e.g., threading) to secure the bracket 201. An anchor 202 may becomprised of steel or another rigid type material. To further secure theessential components of the device, an adhesive may be utilized tosecure the components to their respective locations (e.g., mat plate 203to the mat 110, bracket 201 to the substrate). The adhesive may varydepending on the materials bonded together through installation.However, the only connecting mechanism between the mat 110 and thesubstrate 120 is magnetism to allow for a secure connection between themat 110 and the substrate 120 that still allows for easy removal of themat with no needed clean up or degraded attachment function.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary view of a component of the device of FIG. 6;specifically, the bracket 201 and an anchor 202. The anchor 202 may beoperable to receive the bracket 201 with complementary threading, andthe anchor may further be operable to clasp onto the inner surface ofthe borehole of the substrate 120. The bracket shaft may be operable toinitiate the clasping of the anchor 202 as the shaft is threaded intothe anchor 202. In some embodiments, an anchor 202 may be made from asteel material. The lower face of the bracket 201 may be operable tocome into close contact with the substrate 120.

In some embodiments, the substrate 120 may be prepped with to receivethe bracket 201 and anchor combination. Prepping the substrate 120 mayinclude, without limitation, drilling and boring a hole with a diameterand depth complementary to the anchor, the substrate 120 may be operableto receive the bracket 201, and the face of the bracket 201 may bepositioned flush with the upper surface of the substrate.

In some embodiments, the substrate 120 may be constructed around theplacement of the bracket 201, an example and without limitation, thebracket 201 may be placed in the preferred position, and a substrate 120may be poured around the bracket 201 (e.g., the substrate 120 may beconcrete, rubber, or other pourable material). A preferred position ofthe brackets 201 may vary according to the egress point of a building orthe bracket positions of the floor mat.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the device of FIG. 6, specifically aview of the mat plate 203 component. The device may be constructed of aferromagnetic material and may be attached to a mat with an adhesive.

FIGS. 9-14 provide views of alternative arrangements of the magneticbrackets and different shapes of the brackets and mats in which they areembedded. The present invention is not limited to such arrangements. Thepattern of magnets embedded in the brackets and the number andarrangement of the brackets can be varied. Additionally, the magnets mayalternatively be embedded in the anchoring plates embedded in the floor.In still further embodiments, there may be magnets embedded in both theanchoring plates in the floor and in the brackets on the underside ofthe mat. In such embodiments, the magnets may be arranged incomplementary patterns with the polarity of the magnets in the anchorsin the floor opposite to the those embedded in the brackets in the mat.

It should be understood that the foregoing descriptions of specificembodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes ofillustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive orto limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviouslymany modifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention and its practical application,and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize theinvention and various embodiments with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed:
 1. A system for discreetly securing a floor mat withrespect to a floor, the system comprising: a. a floor mat secured on abasal surface to at least one bracket having a top mat-interfacingsurface for securing to the floor; b. said at least one bracket havingmagnetic connectors on a basal surface thereof configured tomagnetically connect to at least one anchor; and c. an anchor fastenedto said floor and operable to connect to said at least one bracket. 2.The system of claim 1, wherein said bracket interior has an arrangementof bracket recesses having magnets nested within each channel.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein said arrangement of channels may have arecesses geometry complementary in shape for receiving at least onemagnet.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one bracketcomprises a plurality of brackets.
 5. The system of claim 1, whereinsaid basal surface is configured to receive using an applied adhesive toaffix said top mat-interfacing surface of said bracket to said basalsurface.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said anchoring structure isfastened to the floor.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said anchor iscomprised of a ferromagnetic material and adhered to the surface of thefloor.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one bracket isconfigured to be placed at right angles and centerlines of said floormat.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein said bracket is magneticallyattracted to said anchor has a substantially strong magnetic forceoperable to secure the floor mat to the floor and prevent dislodgementof the floor mat when tangential forces are applied thereto.
 10. Asystem for discreetly securing a floor mat with respect to a floor, thesystem comprising: a. at least one plate having a top-mat interfacingsurface for securing a floor mat to the floor, and an anchoringstructure; b. said floor mat having a basal surface configured to securesaid at least one plate; and c. an anchor fastened to said floor havinga magnetic connector on a top surface thereof configured to magneticallyconnect to said at least one plate.
 11. The system of claim 10, whereinsaid plate is comprised of a ferromagnetic material.
 12. The system ofclaim 10, wherein said at least one plate comprises a plurality ofplates.
 13. The system of claim 10, wherein said at least one plate isconfigured to be placed at right angles and centerlines of said floormat.
 14. The system of claim 10, wherein the said anchor is fastened tosaid floor with an adhesive.
 15. The system of claim 10, wherein theanchor is comprised of a magnetized ferromagnetic material.
 16. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein said anchor is magnetically attracted tosaid plate has a substantially strong magnetic force operable to securethe floor mat to the floor and prevent dislodgement of the floor matwhen tangential forces are applied thereto.
 17. The system of claim 10,wherein said plate has a geometry that is complementary to the shape ofsaid anchor.